Christmann Winery
„Our motto: Terroir right down to the cellar.“
Steffen Christmann
„Our motto: Terroir right down to the cellar.“
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The Christmann winery is located in the Mittelhaardt region of the Palatinate, one of the most important wine-growing landscapes in Germany. The family has owned plots of land in the region since the end of the 18th century, and today Steffen and his daughter Sophie run the business together. His heart beats for fine Rieslings characterised by their terroir. Sophie's passion is Pinot Noir, whose production is orientated towards fine Pinots - and which thrives on Palatinate soils whose limestone marl is so similar to that of Burgundy.
Christmann has eleven Erste and Große Lage vineyards between Neustadt and Kallstadt. Despite their diversity, lime is the unifying element.
The vineyards are cultivated according to the principles of biodynamics. This includes the alignment with the phases of the moon, but also the application of biodynamic preparations and self-produced compost. This keeps the soil alive and allows the vines to take root more deeply. Clover, coriander, mustard, dill, mallow, yarrow, camomile etc. between the rows of vines ensure a biodiversity that contributes to the health of the vines.
"Gentle manual harvesting, spontaneous fermentation, ageing in wooden barrels and a lot of manual labour," according to Steffen Christmann, are important ingredients for "top wines that tell of their origin." The Riesling is deliberately less pre-filtered. This makes the fermentation "warmer" and the wine purer and more flavoursome. Pinot Noir is produced according to the French model by cold maceration with up to 30 % whole bunches.
photos: Christmann Winery